Mixed reality in manufacturing comes to life at Hannover Messe

Led by Microsoft HoloLens, global leaders in manufacturing are adopting mixed reality to increase productivity, quality, and safety

I hope this month’s mixed reality blog post finds you well!

For this entry, I am going to focus on some of the amazing work we are seeing from customers and partners this week at the Hannover Messe (HM) show in Germany.

Last year, we highlighted some exciting customer stories, including how thyssenkrupp is transforming the delivery of home mobility solutions using Microsoft HoloLens.

This year, we are demonstrating how HoloLens and Windows Mixed Reality are helping companies reimagine processes, data, and people to accelerate business impact and create value for customers.

The manufacturing industry has been aggressively adopting new technologies that empower Firstline Workers to solve problems, achieve efficiencies, and better serve customers. Mixed reality is bringing these benefits to life, and today, manufacturers around the world are realizing cost savings and efficiency gains as a result.

Here is a view into some of the mixed reality solutions on display at the Microsoft booth this week at Hannover Messe

BAE Systems and PTC

BAE Systems makes the electric propulsion Systems for HybriDrive® buses. BAE is working with PTC, a Microsoft Mixed Reality Partner, utilizing their ThingWorx Studio to create mixed reality solutions that dramatically improve the efficiency of Firstline Workers. BAE and PTC used ThingWorx Studio to easily create a guided step-by-step training solution for HoloLens to teach workers how to assemble a green energy bus battery. Using these tools, BAE can now create these guides for firstline workers in just a few hours at a tenth of the cost, training new people 30-40% more efficiently.

Here is a look at how BAE Systems and PTC are using HoloLens:

Honeywell

Honeywell Maintenance Training Simulator

In February, our friends at Honeywell introducedthe Honeywell Maintenance Training Simulator. This work empowers system maintenance personnel to be prepared for a variety of critical situations and to address them faster with reduced risk. It enables their employees to test and enhance their knowledge in a safe and simulated immersive environment prior to managing critical infrastructure.

Mercedes-Benz Global Training

Mercedes-Benz Microsoft HoloLens brake assembly

Mercedes-Benz Global Training is showing off how HoloLens can be used to improve the efficiency of brake assembly and engine manufacturing. In addition, they are demonstrating how customers can load a roof box with their virtual bags or sports items, such as skis and equipment in a real roof box mounted on an E-Class sedan.

Autodesk

Autodesk Project Sugarhill

Autodesk is demonstrating Project Sugarhill, a technical preview of immersive conceptual design tools that empower artists and designers to start their creative process directly in 3D. Using simple curve and surfacing tools, users can explore form and shape while being fully immersed alongside their design. 3D sketches and models can be easily exported to other screen-based applications such as Alias or Maya for final realization.

Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn railway training in mixed reality

Deutsche Bahn has worked with the Microsoft Mixed Reality Partner Program to build an app that will enable the German railway company to more efficiently and safely train engineers on railway parts and maintenance. Really cool to see them bring this to life on the show floor!

It’s been exciting to watch mixed reality solutions for the manufacturing industry transition from proof-of-concept to production deployments that deliver tangible benefits to manufacturers. We remain inspired by the ways our customers and partners are using mixed reality and HoloLens to do things that were previously impractical or impossible.

I can’t wait to share more in the weeks and months ahead!

As always, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @lorrainebardeen to share what you are doing with mixed reality.